When to plant carrots in Alabama
Alabama’s average last spring frost is March 25, and the first fall frost typically arrives around November 5 — about 225 frost-free days (USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a). Carrot needs 60–80 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Alabama's growing season.
When to plant carrots in Alabama: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Feb 27 – Mar 18. Seeds germinate in soil from 40 to 85°F.
Succession sow again in Alabama: Mar 22 · Apr 9 · Apr 27
Spring succession stops before summer heat makes it bolt. Start sowing again in late summer for a fall crop (see the fall window above).
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow carrots in Alabama, step by step
- Prepare the bed. They need six or more hours of sun for the best growth, though four to six hours in partial shade is enough and loose soil at least 12 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Feb 27 – Mar 18). Space plants about 3 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart, sowing seed ¼ inch deep. It handles frost well, so it can go out before the last frost date. As a cool-season crop it does best before summer heat arrives in Alabama.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: carrot rust fly, wireworm, root-knot nematode, aphids. Diseases and disorders: alternaria leaf blight, cavity spot, aster yellows.
- Harvest (from about May 3 – May 23). Carrot takes 60-80 days to reach harvest. Never transplant. Keep the surface constantly moist for the slow 2-3 week germination - a board or burlap over the row helps. Needs loose, stone-free soil or roots fork.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Alabama’s average frost dates. More in the full carrot growing guide.
Carrot planting dates by USDA zone in Alabama
Alabama spans USDA zones 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the carrot dates shift with them.
When to plant carrots in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama (this page) | March 25 | Feb 27 – Mar 18 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Feb 22 – Mar 13 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Feb 7 – Feb 26 |
| Florida | February 12 | Jan 17 – Feb 5 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Mar 8 – Mar 27 |
Questions gardeners in Alabama ask
When is the best time to plant carrots in Alabama?
Sow carrots in Alabama between February 27 and March 18. That timing is set by Alabama's average last spring frost of March 25.
Can I plant carrots in the fall in Alabama?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between August 10 and August 27, so the crop matures in cool weather before Alabama's first frost around November 5.
When will carrots planted in Alabama be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, carrots are usually ready from about May 3 to May 23, 60-80 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Alabama?
On average around March 25, with the first fall frost around November 5 - about 225 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.